Sonia Gandhi

Kamal Kishore / Reuters / Corbis

AGE: 62
OCCUPATION: Indian National Congress Party president
PREVIOUS APPEARANCES ON THE TIME 100: 2

PRO: The Italian-born head of India's most influential political party is beloved by her constituents, not only because of her family history (she came to power after her husband, Congressional leader Rajiv, was assassinated) but also because of her efforts to combat poverty.

CON: She has been bogged down by a public spat with one of her rivals.